The kitchen is one of the most practical and functional spaces in any home. Even if you don’t yet craft all your meals from scratch, you should still want to get your kitchen right. The kitchen is a natural gathering place for family and friends, and it will certainly help you to have the right tools on hand when the time comes for you to get your food prep game on. Here are a few items that can really help to make life simpler and easier around your kitchen.
1. Spiral vegetable slicer
Most people enjoy pasta dishes, but not everyone enjoys the carbohydrate overload that comes along with many traditional pastas. Wish you had an easy way to prepare a fresh, healthy pasta alternative? A spiral vegetable slicer is a great tool to have on hand. Just mount a zucchini or other raw vegetable, turn the crank, and you’re done. Add sauce and prepare as you would with any pasta dish and dig in! It’s really that simple. Pretty tasty, too.
2. Compact air fryer
These little wonders have surged in popularity in recent years, and those who own one literally swear by it. Essentially, this gadget gives you the ability to cook foods you’d normally fry, with no need for adding any artery-clogging oil. It makes chicken, potatoes, brussels sprouts, and pretty much anything else come out crispy and tasty – and healthier, too. Many say this is hands-down the best kitchen item they’ve ever owned, and many compact air fryers are now very reasonably priced, too.
3. Immersion blender
Traditional blenders and mixers can be large and somewhat complicated to deal with. How about a space-saving tool you can use to whip up everything from pancake batter to smoothies to sauces and soups? A handheld immersion blender is easy to clean, requires very little storage space, and is just a great multipurpose kitchen gadget. It’s much cheaper than a full-sized blender, too.
4. Chef’s knife
One thing that isn’t up for debate is the fact that you need a good knife in the kitchen. Sure, you can get a cheap block full of off-brand kitchen utensils, but a quality chef’s knife isn’t something you really want to skimp on. The right knife really makes all of your food prep easier. Make sure it’s dishwasher-safe, too.
5. Toaster
Everybody needs a toaster. Sure, you can get just any toaster, or you can elevate your level of awesomeness by going with one that comes with adjustable settings for two slices and includes a convenient crumb tray. Also, that depends if you or your family/guests can’t spare a warm toast.
6. Instant pot
As popular as the compact air fryer is, the instant pot craze that has swept the world. What’s so great about an instant pot, you ask? Oh, not much. It just happens to be a combination pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and warmer, that’s all. No big deal. Seriously, the instant pot is a quite impressive kitchen gadget. If you were planning to register for a slow cooker anyway, you might at least consider registering for a slow cooker that’s also able to perform six other functions and includes 13 built-in food item programs.
7. Think a little beyond the gadgets
No doubt you need your kitchen to be as functional and practical as possible. But since the kitchen is also such a natural gathering place, you want to give some thought to how you plan to decorate your kitchen space. There are some simple things you can do that will add design, flair, and personality.
You really can’t go wrong with something like a wall decor collection. Besides being great wall hanging, many of these items also make nice table centerpieces or kitchen counter displays. Consider the atmosphere of your kitchen, too. The right scent can really help to set the mood, something like handmade natural wax candles that you and your guests are sure to enjoy.
